States and communities are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve air quality, economic, and energy goals. Innovative financing programs, such as Connecticut’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, can leverage and supplement traditional financing options to increase the affordability of fuel cells and other energy reliability projects. In both Connecticut and New York, existing state funds (systems benefit charges) were repurposed and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds have been used to provide initial capital for technology deployment that both enhances energy resiliency and environmental performance.

CT Green Bank and NY Green Bank discussed their programs and how funds can be used to facilitate development of renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells. Participants learned about ways to finance projects and utilize existing financial tools, such as long-term and low interest rate loans, revolving loan funds, and low-cost public investments to leverage hydrogen and fuel cell projects for resilient power.